Fitness Journey

In the beginning I was a 206lb "flabalicious" fat guy rapidly approaching the big 3-0. So, how am I doing? Today, about seven months in, I weighed 166.6lbs. Over the holidays I went back up to 178 lbs, but now I am working on reaching my goal of 159 lbs, 7% body fat, and a Ninja Warrior ready body.

Since I’ve already received some odd looks over my choice to spend almost $4,000 to fix my dog Kane, I figured I would pose a related question. This question came to mind as my wife reminded me that our cat Joel is almost 14 years old. The question is simple:

Assuming you owned both a dog and cat, hypothetically of course, and both needed expensive medical treatment to prolong their lives, where would you draw the line? Can you define an objective amount, say $10,000, for each? If not, would you be more likely to spend more on keeping your dog alive than your cat? If so, why?

When answering the above questions please, if you feel comfortable, also state whether you own a dog, cat, or other pet. (more…)

“Ken Giles was jogging in a park in Johnson City, Tenn., when, as he put it, “nature called.” He went off the trail to go take care of business. Then an undercover agent “put the badge in my face and told me that I was under arrest. I just thought I was in trouble for urinating in public.”

It was much more humiliating than that. The park was the site of a police crackdown on gay men using the park for sex. But the police went beyond arrests. Before anyone was convicted, they posted the names, addresses and photos of the men.

Giles’s wife saw his picture on the news. Then his employer fired him. “When I lost my job … my wife was so upset that she had a … a major heart attack.”

What purpose does this kind of thing serve? Why can’t police distinguish between someone trying to relieve themselves and someone try to get some kicks from public sex? Why are police so busy hiding in bushes or bathroom stalls trying to entrap people into engaging in illicit activities? While engaging in sexual acts in clear public view in front of others should indeed be a crime, There is no need for all this covert activity and undercover work.

Banning Fast Food to Fight Obesity?

“Jan Perry, a Los Angeles city-council member, is spearheading legislation that would ban new fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s and KFC from opening in a 32-square-mile chunk of the city, including her district.” – WSJ

You might ask why? The standard response from advocates of such measure

“[These measures are] crucial in the fight against obesity, diabetes and other diseases and health conditions.”

While all of you know I take seriously the problem of obesity in America, this is certainly not the way to go about it. Limiting the choices of all members of society because some abuse their freedom is the very antithesis of what one should expect from their government. This problem will only be solved when individuals take responsibility for their actions, not when the government bans or sin taxes every last twinkie, Big Mac, or fried food found in fast food restaurants, grocery stores, or your very own fridge.

Grown up P.E.- Do you Still Hit the Dork With Glasses? Wait, That’s me!

“This is Old School P.E., a two-hour exercise program strictly for adults, built around grown-up versions of gym class staples. Participants say getting in shape is a bonus to the main attraction — a Friday night out with friends, away from the kids.” – Yahoo! News (more…)

Good news, bad news, boring news, sensational news- it’s all in thousands of newspapers published in print and online daily, weekly, and monthly. But since you can’t read them all, whatever should the aspiring mind do? Are there some guidelines that might guide you through the avalanche of news available at the local newsstand and on the information superhighway.

Furthermore, there is more to reading and learning than newspapers right? Of course. There are journals, websites, blogs, etc. So allow me to introduce you to rule #1 of the 10 Weeks to an Intellectual Transformation program and how it applies to a broad range of sources- mostly by introducing you to a broad range of sources.

Rule #1.If you aren’t reading things that might get you on an FBI list you probably aren’t reading enough. (more…)

Foul-mouthed gutter Santa’s talk about oral sex getting you down? Then swing on over to Musings, Rants, and Monologues to check out the hilarious and terribly offensive (not to mention juvenile) humor contained therein. If I might recommend a few particularly delightful posts for my new readers…

Well, what are my blogging plans for the next month or so (at least the highlights)…

First, I will be writing three posts for StraighttotheBar.com. [Click on the link now and see a video a guy bending a wrench]. Most likely the posts will be entitled:

“Eliminating the Lug Nuts: How to Find a Good Trainer.”

“The Power of the Negative.”

“Visualization: No Longer just for New Age Hippies.”

Much to my wife’s chagrin over at Musings, Rants, and Monologues I will be posting on my recent quest to build the perfect minority. Trust me, it will be both offensive, sophomoric, and politically incorrect to the 1,000 degree.

And right here on this, my main blog, I will be posting on my recent struggles with food, our upcoming travels, getting a handle on credit card debt (our experience), and the kind of things you do to start a mental transformation that can keep pace with your physical transformation. See you later!

By the way don’t forgot that neat little link on the left hand side of your screen- no not that left, your other left. Be part of helping a dream a few small bucks at a time. If you need extra incentive, let’s just say, I know Santa and I can get you on the good list. ‘Nough said? I thought so.

Want to help out without donating? Then look around [wink, wink, nudge, nudge] while visiting my other blog. Get it?! I mean full investigate everything. Gosh, I am so bad at giving hints.